Published: Sunday, August 18, 2013 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 5:44 p.m.

DAYTONA BEACH — Bob Van Bergen became general manager of the 323-room Plaza Resort & Spa at 600 N. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach in February. Since then, Van Bergen has overseen substantial renovations of the property, and more updates are on the way for the historic condo-hotel. The hotel is hoping to be done with the renovation by late 2014.

Construction was halted earlier this year for the busy summer tourist season, but renovations will resume this autumn, Van Bergen said.

Van Bergen recently sat down with The News-Journal.

The Plaza began undergoing renovations last winter. What all is planned?

We’re first of all fixing things that need to be repaired in the back-of-the-house area — air conditioning, roof repairs, some of the infrastructure, balconies, tunnel areas that go out to the beach. Those are areas that aren’t obvious to the guest.

Once those are completed, we will embark on a refresh of the public spaces — the ballrooms, the guest rooms ... My meeting space is 32,000 square feet. We have a great selection of spaces, from a very large ballroom to break-out board rooms. I want our facilities to be in the mix when people are considering the best meeting spaces in Daytona Beach.

All told, you’re planning to spend how much?

About $3 million.

When was the last time the hotel performed renovations this extensive?

About 2005.

Why is the hotel upgrading now?

It’s been a while since it was done last, and the hotel was in need of it. In order to recapture some market share, a refresh is necessary.

How do the nearby planned Hard Rock Hotel and Protogroup’s planned $150 million hotel/condo development factor into your plans?

We have a unique opportunity over the next couple of years to garner more market share . . . Once they open, that will only help us by bringing more guests to the destination. Plus, their prices will be substantially higher than ours. Hopefully, the whole market will be able to take advantage of that in increased rates.

How has business been so far this year?

Business has been pretty good this year, given the fact that we’ve been under construction for a portion of the year. You have to factor in balcony work for much of the year. But our new business continues to grow.

<p><em><span class="Dateline">DAYTONA BEACH — </span>Bob Van Bergen became general manager of the 323-room Plaza Resort &amp; Spa at 600 N. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach in February. Since then, Van Bergen has overseen substantial renovations of the property, and more updates are on the way for the historic condo-hotel. The hotel is hoping to be done with the renovation by late 2014.</em></p><p><em>Construction was halted earlier this year for the busy summer tourist season, but renovations will resume this autumn, Van Bergen said.</em></p><p><em>Van Bergen recently sat down with The News-Journal.</em></p><p><strong><em>The Plaza began undergoing renovations last winter. What all is planned?</em></strong></p><p>We're first of all fixing things that need to be repaired in the back-of-the-house area — air conditioning, roof repairs, some of the infrastructure, balconies, tunnel areas that go out to the beach. Those are areas that aren't obvious to the guest.</p><p>Once those are completed, we will embark on a refresh of the public spaces — the ballrooms, the guest rooms ... My meeting space is 32,000 square feet. We have a great selection of spaces, from a very large ballroom to break-out board rooms. I want our facilities to be in the mix when people are considering the best meeting spaces in Daytona Beach.</p><p><strong><em>All told, you're planning to spend how much?</em></strong></p><p>About $3 million.</p><p><strong><em>When was the last time the hotel performed renovations this extensive?</em></strong></p><p>About 2005.</p><p><strong><em>Why is the hotel upgrading now?</em></strong></p><p>It's been a while since it was done last, and the hotel was in need of it. In order to recapture some market share, a refresh is necessary.</p><p><strong><em>How do the nearby planned Hard Rock Hotel and Protogroup's planned $150 million hotel/condo development factor into your plans?</em></strong></p><p>We have a unique opportunity over the next couple of years to garner more market share . . . Once they open, that will only help us by bringing more guests to the destination. Plus, their prices will be substantially higher than ours. Hopefully, the whole market will be able to take advantage of that in increased rates.</p><p><strong><em>How has business been so far this year?</em></strong></p><p>Business has been pretty good this year, given the fact that we've been under construction for a portion of the year. You have to factor in balcony work for much of the year. But our new business continues to grow.</p><br>